Owen tips Liverpool for title glory again – with 80% confidence

Liverpool and England football legend Michael Owen is 80% confident that the Reds will repeat last season’s Premier League title heroics, with Arsenal given only a 20% chance by the football pundit.

“I do believe that they’re absolutely the team to beat. When you’re strengthening from a position of strength then that’s obviously double trouble for your opponents,” said Owen, who was in Durban at the weekend as a SunBet ambassador for his first Durban July experience.

The horse breeder and owner’s passion for horse-racing is said to be just as strong as his passion for football.

Liverpool finished last season, their first under new manager Arne Slot following the departure of club icon Jürgen Klopp, on 84 points, 10 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s formerly dominant Manchester City side limped to third place after an inconsistent campaign.

Liverpool equalled Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight titles with their surprise league triumph.

Owen, the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, is convinced that the Reds will claim back-to-back crowns to go clear of their fierce rivals. The Anfield giants have certainly started their transfer business with intent.

The death of star striker Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a tragic car accident late last week has been the only damper to the otherwise upbeat mood surrounding the Reds.

The record £116m acquisition of Germany’s star midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen was further bolstered by the arrival of left-back Milos Kerkez and right-back Jeremie Frimpong. Their goalkeeping stocks have also been reinforced by last season’s signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, alongside two additional acquisitions.

Speculation linking England centre-back Marc Guéhi with a move from Crystal Palace also refuses to go away, with young central defender Jarell Quansah departing Anfield for Leverkusen.

“When I look at the opponents, who’s going to improve so much to keep up with Liverpool?” Owen asked in an exclusive interview with Independent Media Sport at Sibaya Casino in Durban.

“I don’t see anybody, if I’m honest. Maybe Arsenal might pose a threat.

“I think Manchester City have fallen a bit too far behind and have made so many changes, and having to make changes, I’d find it hard to envisage them bouncing straight back.

“Of the other teams, Chelsea might pose a small threat but I don’t think they’re good enough. Same with Aston Villa. Man United and Tottenham are too far away.

“I mean, 80% of me sees Liverpool and 20% sees Arsenal winning. I can’t really see anyone else.”

There is still plenty of time left in the transfer window for the Reds’ title rivals to strengthen their squads, however. The former goal poacher, who also had spells at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Stoke City, could yet be left with egg on his face.

The 2025/26 English Premier League season will kick off on 15 August, with the defending champions facing Bournemouth in their opener.